San Diego Engagement Session | Megan + Todd

What a great way to start off 2012 then to blog an engagement session of a 2012 couple? Megan and Todd are the ultimate sweethearts! I'm so excited to be working on their Fall Wedding at The Langham Hotel in Pasadena. Planning with them so far has been such a joy! Congrats Megan and Todd, your pics are amazing and Duncan (the doggie) takes some pretty neat pics too! Looks like he's headed to the "Big Screen". I cant wait until your big day! Thank you Cindy of Orange Turtle Photography for sharing.

Beverly's Favorite Pick of the Week ~ Beverly Hills Restaurant Villa Blanca

I love hanging out at Beverly Hills Restaurant Villa Blanca, it is so much fun.  What a gorgeous place to have a bridal shower, birthday party and just hang out. I haven't had the opportunity to meet the chef, but the two managers, Andrew and Michael and the staff are very pleasant. You should go one day and tell them I sent you.

Hartley Botanica Garden Wedding | Randi + Ralph

Here's what photographer, Gloria Mesa had to say about her client's wedding day.

"The day was special and I could tell that the wedding of Randi and Ralph was definitely something that everyone had been anticipating because family and friends flew in from New Jersey and from Miami. I myself was looking forward to their wedding as well. As I arrived at the hotel, where she was getting ready, I couldn’t wait to see both of them. Randi and Ralph had become my friends and we had developed a friendship that I will be treasuring for many years to come.

The wedding took place at the beautiful Hartley Botanica Garden. They did an amazing job with all of the details that Randi and Ralph dreamed of for their wedding day. The flowers, the linens, everything had a vintage touch just like Randi had planned. Even her wedding gown was reminiscent of the 50′s era.. She looked gorgeous!. The Candy Station was to die for and the Hollywood Candy Girls did a stunning job. Wendi Hartfield oversaw every single detail so that the wedding was perfect. The flowers from Belle of the Ball provided a perfect palette of colors which complemented the Cake, Skiff’s Bakery, and the cup cakes for the wedding. Command Performance, the premier catering for Hartley Botanica Garden, had everything tasting delicious for all of the guests and the best lemonade in town. Our D.J. for the night, Kyle Taylor , made everyone dance till the end.

One of the moments that still gives me the chills is when Brandon, Randi’s son, took her by her arm. He was wearing his military uniform and he looked amazing. There was nothing more special than seeing them walk down the isle.. So many emotions; so many.."

Beverly's weekly pick!

 a munna fetiche chair

Los Angeles Union Station Engagement Sessions | Mira + Andy

My good friend and colleague, Gloria Mesa of Gloria Mesa Photography shared engagement photos of Mira and Any at the Los Angeles Union Station.  Here's what Gloria had to say about spending her day with this lovely couple.

"I love this session!! I had so much fun. Los Angeles Union Station is an amazing place. Mira and Andy wanted their engagement session with a 50′s touch. Mira transformed herself and Andy looked so handsome and reminded me of that popular show, “Mad Men”. The look was perfect. After we finished the session at the Los Angeles Union Station, we drove to find a unique spot in Downtown L.A. Andy made a turn and VOILA!! It just happened that the place was perfect for the next part of the engagement session; the more relaxed 50′s look.

I love having a stylist in the engagement sessions. James Sartin did an outstanding job of making sure that Mira and Andy had everything perfect, from hair and make-up to jewelry, everything. James you totally spoiled me now..

Andy and Mira are going to celebrate their wedding at the Tropical Paradise in Ventura County, I know it's going to be a fantastic affair."

Thank you Gloria for sharing such incredible photos.

Halle Berry Launches New Shoe Line

Halle Berry

Halle Berry, who already has her own fragrance, has now launched her own line of shoes. The ‘5ths Avenue by Halle Berry’ collection, designed for German retailer Deichmann Shoes, comes six months after Cindy Crawford posed with her own range of Deichmann heals. Like Crawford, Berry is 45 and the ad shoot shows off her enviably toned legs as she slips on her new shoes.

"Women have always loved shoes. It's like if your hair is not right and your shoes are not right, the woman is not right. If both of them are right, you're pretty much OK," Berry said in a statement reports The YBF.

Berry's shoe line for spring/summer 2012 will consist of 40 limited edition shoes in stylish designs featuring sexy peep toes with wedge heels, casual mid-heeled sandals with straps and chic high-heeled sling sandals on wedge heels.

Read more: http://www.essence.com/2012/01/28/halle-berry-to-debut-shoe-line/#ixzz1kp232Ehx

Thoughtful Wedding Gestures

Below are some gracious wedding gestures to remember.

• Recycle flowers. When the wedding is over, take or send your flowers to a nearby nursing home or hospital. This small little gesture will do wonders.
• Share your food. Have someone take the leftover food, hors d' oeuvres, cake and nonalcoholic drinks delivered to a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
• Make post-wedding visits. Share the excitement of your wedding with sick or elderly family members that are unable to attend the wedding.  Take with you some wedding cake, favors, flowers, photographs, or even your wedding video.